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Trish Henderson has returned home to Eden to take care of some family business...and some personal business, as well. Though she's achieved remarkable success as a high-powered Chicago attorney, Trish has never forgotten her small-town high school sweetheart, Joe Ramsey, or the devastation of heartbreak.

Now she's come face-to-face with the gorgeous sex god Joe has grown into, and she's determined to get him out of her system once and for all - and maybe take a little revenge, too. And this time, she has all the power. After all, where is it written that only men can explore and enjoy a physical relationship without commitment? Her plan: seduce him for just one night, then walk away...

But there's just one problem. Trish is about to find out that one night with Joe may never be enough...

Fourteen years ago, Joe Ramsey broke Trish Henderson's heart in two. High school sweethearts in the small town of Eden, Illinois, the two had planned on getting married the moment that Trish returned home from college in four years but instead the two were fated for betrayal that changed both their lives drastically. Now, unwillingly back in Eden to help her parents sell the family diner and set them up for retirement, Trish is taking a two week vacation from her life in Chicago as a major player and soon to be partner at one of the most prestigious law firms in Chicago. The last person she wants to see is the person from her dreaded past: Joe. The man she loved. The man who broke every dream and promise that had once led to heaven, now only reminds Trish of hell.

Unfortunately, that electric spark they shared as kids is now combustible as adults and no sooner does Trish lay eyes on Joe that her body begins to heat and her heart starts beating a tattoo against her chest. The handsome boy she once knew had grown into the hottest thing on two legs to ever grace the earth and it's in that instant that Trish knows that she's in big trouble. But instead of trying to resist the magnetic pull of Joe Ramsey, Trish is going to get what she wants. She's going to rock Joe's world and leave as soon as she's done.

Joe can't help but think he's died and gone to heaven when he opens his front door to reveal a scantily clad Trish who takes control of his fantasy and blows it out of the water. But when dreams of morning pancakes and a chance to get to know the new Trish are dashed the moment he awakens to empty arms, Joe can't help but determine that Trish is punishing him for his mistake fourteen years ago. If this a game of love 'em and leave 'em then two can play. But when passion sweeps through his heart, he can't help but be affected and he suspects that it's the same for Trish.

As the two become closer. As the hot sultry nights blend together with passionate kisses and loving embraces. As secrets are revealed and the heartache of the past is slowly pieced together and rectified, both Trish and Joe have to face the glaring facts within their hearts that neither ever lost the love between them even after all these years apart. And as Trish submerges herself deeper and deeper into small town life, she begins to realize that things had been missing in her life.

While she was caught up in the competitive world of climbing the career ladder, she now sees that it was all in an attempt to shield her heart from any and all who could potentially break it once again. For years after Joe's betrayal she'd cried herself to sleep, yearning for him and wishing that he had tried in some way to come to her; To bring her back and make her stay with him. She wanted the grand gesture and all this time that need had been there but she'd been so busy protecting herself that she hadn't realized it. All this time she had been distrusting of others; always assuming the worst and therefore preparing and maneuvering her life so that the worst could never be allowed to happen. Now, back with Joe, Trish realizes how she's let life pass her by. But can she truly forgive Joe for the past? Can she allow herself to take the ultimate risk? Make the ultimate sacrifice for a man that she can't in all certainty believe in again?

Joe Ramsey is a hero that all others aspire to be. A hero that I've read before and loved but also a hero that is rarely penned so well. I can only rattle off a handful of heroes that embody the same luscious traits as Joe. That lazy confidence. The utterly cool aura that draws people in like a magnet. A man's man who works and thrives in a man's world. He's like the sexy construction worker or titillating garbage man. Joe's an auto mechanic and a damned good one. Yet even though he's male to the core, Joe is also the keeper of a kind heart, a nurturer who has raised two girls in some shape or form. And his heart is reserved for one woman. Despite his renowned experience, there is only one woman in the world that can grant him the ultimate satisfaction. She's the one woman that he'd give up anything for. He'll risk it all if she'll just say yes and it's Trish that Joe wants.

Trish was an enjoyable but often times, frustrating heroine. She portrays a strong and assured exterior but inside, she's still that frightened girl with a broken heart. Unknowingly, even to herself, she's held on with white knuckled fingers to her tragic past in an effort to block any future pain. She's done this with her job, her loft in the city, her wardrobe of pantie hose and five hundred dollar suits. She's allowed herself to become wrapped up in a competition where she never truly even wished to win. Trish has made sure that no one could present that kind of risk to her heart again after Joe. And it's only after she looses Joe that she truly sees the fortifying walls that she's erected. Now all she wants to do is tear them down to pieces. For Joe she'll make the ultimate sacrifice. For Joe she'll give up the life that she's worked so hard for. For Joe she'll be his cupcake in truth and her heart will forever be his.

I have to thank Barbara for urging me to read this book. 'Tempt Me Tonight' embodies a strong and easy flow that draws you in and captivates until the very end. Joe makes your heart flutter and your body tingle while you simultaneously clench your fists over Trish's fear. While I understood her pain, I wanted Trish to just give in to the magnet that is Joe. If I had written this book, it would have been over in a few chapters. That's why I'm so happy to not be an author today for I'd be hopelessly unemployed. Instead, I willingly give myself over to the torment of the women who pen the beauty that is romance. I submit to the angst and nerves pulsating in my heart with the only reassurance that all will work out in the end. I don't know what I would do without the bliss of a guaranteed Happily Ever After. Nothing is guaranteed in real life but in a romance novel, I can pitch a fit and scream and rail at the hero and heroine while knowing that happiness is their destiny.

32 comments:

YAY!!! Ugh, this one was without a doubt my all time favorite contemp. I just loved it. I have to agree, there were times I wanted to smack some sense into Trish, but like you said, the story would have been over in no time, lol.

Ugh, Trish. Truly, I liked her but I just loved Joe more. I wanted him to be happy. He deserved it. And Trish was just taking too damn long to give in. OMG, but when she did, it was amazing and worth the wait. ;)

(((hugs))) VFG

Hey Amanda!

I'd be seriously poor if was an author, for real. I just want the H/h to be together ASAP!!

;) VFG

LMAO E.H.!!!

This book comes very highly recommended. Have fun tonight with Joe!

;) VFG

Thanks Blodeuedd!

Ah yes, the past betrayal. It was a stupid mistake on Joe's part but it changed the very course of his and Trish's lives. Heartbreaking.

;)

Thanks Lea!

My favorite them is the reacquainted lovers and this one delivers in spades. You'll not be disappointed.

I'm crying my eye balls out right now VFG! Have I read many raving review about One Reckless Summer now you come with another of Toni Blake and...I have no way in getting them. My online bookstore says: Not In Stock at publisher.

Ok, manning up here and find me a way to these books with reasonable shipping fee.

Oh, and before I forget :D Loved the review...again, as always, what's new!

I loved ORS, and am now reading Letters to a Secret Lover, it's awesome!!! And Barbara, told me about her after I reviewed a Lacey Alexander book!!! She gets the friend thing, emotional thing, the grow through something thing and the connection, that's DEEP. And I've only read 1.5 books by her. May have to do this one next, Barbara says its her fave, I think?!

Oh no Leontine!! TMT is not in stock?! I'd be crying too. Email me with your addy, I'll send you my copy.

'One Reckless Summer', that's her newest release right? I'm going to have to check out the reviews for that one. I have 'Swept Away' in the TBR pile, so I might be pulling that one out in the near future.

I've been looking everywhere but TMT is an OOP and go for as much as 145 euro's, that's about 200 dollars 0-0

VFG (((hugs you big time))) for offer but it isn't cheap to mail from US to the Netherlands and guess what....I found a new copy at amazon.de the very last one they had YAY for me!! And One Reckless Summer comes from across the sea now. I remembered an online site in the UK who also ship for free. Sometimes I have such tunnel vision when it comes to my book buying, only go to those I frequently shop at ;D

I have only read Letters To A Secret Lover by Toni Blake but I uber loved that story and I think it got 4,5 stars from me. I think TMT and ORS are even more erotic then that one and that is always an added bonus.

Oooh, the betrayal sounds ominous. I'm okay with knowing details about a book because if a book interest me, I'd read it anyway...not like, I haven't peeked the back pages of a book before to find out the ending, ha. Email forthcoming!

Awesome review Vamp and yes, damn you too!!! Between you and Barbara... the people at my Borders are staying to say "Hey Cecile, what we are looking for today"!!! LOL!!!Seriously, great review. I will be adding this one to the long list I already have... because of course your reviews are just that good... and shaking head in agreeance with Sophie... anything that is Hussy approved needs to be bought immediately!I hope you have a great tomorrow!

lol! Yeah, Trish is a handful, but I don't think Joe minded that so much. And like I said, I understood her fears but sometimes I did want to strangle her. I just wanted so badly for Joe to be happy. Yes he made a terrible mistake, but I think he paid for it in spades long before Trish even returns to Eden.

E.H.! Loved the review girl! But I'm sorry that Trish gave you such a headache. She did sound like a broken record at times I agree.

For me, I did have to remind myself why Trish would act like such a tool. Joe was her one and only and his easy ability to crush her heart and soul really changed and fortified her heart against any other attack. I understood her fear knowing that Joe could very easily do the same thing that he did 14 years ago.

But with the added benefit of viewing Joe's POV, we know that he could never hurt her. He wants her too badly to screw up again. I think this is where the frustration stems from. We know that Joe will not pull a repeat and it's hard to reconcile Trish's distrust while already trusting Joe ourselves. It makes things annoying.

I do hope though that it satisfied your inner hussy. I especially love the scene where Trish and Joe make love in the rain. HAWT!!

I am starting Tempt Me Tonight, well...tonight LOL After much Historicals, or so it feels, I was in desperate need and wanted to reward myself with a "Me Tarzan, You Jane" between the sheet kind of story. You'll hear me soon VFG!